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Today marks the 62nd anniversary of Marriott’s shift from the restaurant business to the hotel industry. On this date, January 16, 1957, my parents cut the ribbon on the Twin Bridges Motor Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. See photo above.

We were in a hurry to accommodate all the crowds coming to Washington, D.C., for the second inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

I talked my dad into letting me manage Twin Bridges. I was 26 years old at the time, with no experience in the hotel business. My dad worried because I had never run a hotel before. I told him, “No one else around here has either. Let’s roll the dice.”

It worked out okay. We now have more than 6,700 hotels spanning the globe and 30 brands.

Twin Bridges closed in 1988.

It is gone but not forgotten.

I'm Bill Marriott and thank you for helping me keep Marriott on the Move.

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Hello Bill,

Thanks for sharing less known facts about Marriott.
Today, You are a brand that don't need any introduction. Never stayed at Twin Bridges but got the chance to stay in courtyard(a Marriott) hotel. Marriott keeps its promises and services which is beyond reach for any other brands.
Your life journey is inspiration.

Never stayed at Twin Bridges, but have stayed at 264 other Marriott Branded hotels. Retired now, but many fond and happy memories of Marriott stays both business and personal! Mr Marriott, still enjoy your blogs!

Thank you for sharing this! This was a great piece of history to learn about. I think for your dad to have faith in you to run the hotel was amazing and for you to come through was even more gratifying! I love being a part of your legacy and will be celebrating 11 years in February with Gaylord/Marriott! Thank you for the opportunity to learn, grown and be a part of your amazing team! I look forward to what the future holds for me and the company!